Unconventional Indeed

I WON!!!!!  I WON THE LAST CHALLENGE!
Besides being so thrilled to have won, I'm so pleased because the competitors did a great job and I appreciate the support of friends and family in voting for me!  The other great thing about this one was the fact that, once again, there were so many last minute things going on.  Just getting the lace was an effort.  Selecting shoes (ok, so don't tell anyone, but I LOVE shoes and will use any excuse to buy a new pair), deciding at that last minute that I needed this "Gone with the Wind" overskirt.  But then there were so many things that were right - like the weather here.  This is the season of crappy weather, so for the past two challenges it was raining cats and dogs at the start of the day, but surprisingly cleared up just in time for me to snap photos.  So, again, I love basking in the joy of winning - for the entire hot minute that I have been able to do so.

Because now, it's on to the next challenge. An "Unconventional Challenge".  It seems that we can make whatever we want - as long as we do not use fabric to make it!  Ohhhhh great!!!

Welp, what can I say?  I can't quit.  It's not in my nature.  Friends have offered suggestions, and I have, what I hope will be a great idea. But we shall see.  Now where is that hot glue gun?  

But, oh, let's be clear, my life can NEVA be this simple.  

A Red Haute Evening

Well, the next challenge is essentially over! We have submitted our interpretations for the challenge.  This week the challenge was to use New Look 6261.  We  were to use lace in our work.  Well, as always, I can never take the easy road.  The first issue I face was finding the right kind of lace.  I wanted the scalloped edge and I wanted something other than black.  Red is my favorite color, so I wanted a vibrant red lace. And since Hancocks has abandoned sewers, the options were few and far between.  But I was lucky, Fabric.com had a wonderful stretch lace, so I ordered it and patiently waited (after paying extra to have it shipped sooner!) 

This actually came together really easily.  The challenge was getting the fabric and committing to a look.  At the last minute, I decided I wanted the overskirt and wanted it in chiffon.  I decided this at a point where I could not have ordered it online and recieved it in time. But, fortunately, I was able to find some fabric at JoAnn's and it was a good match.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE how this looked when I was done.  The competitors are really good and I can only hope I make it to the next round.  The next challenge will be as interesting as any we have had so far.

Now I can only hope I find a date and a great event to wear this frock and flit about all night long!

I knew I wanted the overskirt detachable so I could wear it with out without with ease.  I decided that creating a belt and attaching the overskirt to the belt would work.

 About this belt - I purchased the buckle at Hancock's and it was the only one they had.  When I decided I was going to wear gold accessories, what was I going to do with this buckle.  As I was on my way to work, I thought I can paint it.  But I didn't want to go through the whole, buy paint, lay out paper, blah blah blah.  So, I decided I could get some nail polish and that would do the trick.  And wahlah!  It worked.  I think it was a great compliment to the red.

Africa is the New Black

Sew, I won the last challenge in the Pretty Girls Sew Challenge! And after basking in the glow of that, how-in-the-world-did-I-win revelry, it was time to get to work on the next challenge.  And a challenge it was. But at the start it seemed simple enough, make whatever you want (Great! Wrap Dress it will be!), as long as you use Ankara aka African Print fabric. Whelp, there goes that plan since Ankara is usually a waxed print cotton fabric. So, what do I do know!

So, a shopping I go.  First, I ordered this beautiful yellow and blue fabric online. I loved it.

 But, my self doubt kicked in and I thought I needed something more dramatic.  So, I found a local African products store.  There I purchased this beautiful blue and gold fabric.  I decided I would make this jacket and dress combo.  After almost finishing the jacket and only needing to throw together the sheath dress, I sent this photo to my daughter who also sews (and is supposed to be a contributor to this blog!) Her comment, "It's cute, but it looks like a karate jacket. Maybe it will look better when you put it on."I was distraught because when I stepped back, I kinda saw karate jacket too!

 

                                                   

Well, that wouldn't do.  But this was the Wednesday before the Thursday deadline.  BUT I have never let the reality that there is not time left be a deterrent for me.  I pulled this fabric from the stash, used  Mccall's 7052 for this top.  I modified it a bit.  I altered the neckline, but otherwise kept it basically the same. I LOVED how it turned out and of course, just in the nick of time.
 While I didn't win that round, I didn't get kicked out either, so I will take that as a win!